World Snow Day Strathcona County | 15 January 2017

550 people celebrated winter in Alberta's newest UNESCO Biopshere - the Beaver Hills Biosphere - at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre in Strathcona County, Canada. Featuring the "Beaver Hills BioBlitz", wildlife biologists helped children and their families to learn about winter ecology.
• Children saw a live salamander and bull frog and learned about their habitat thanks to The Alberta Conservation Association.
• Wildlife biologists from The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society and the Friends of Elk Island National Park gave presentations about wildlife "aches and pains", how wildlife cameras work, the importance of beavers in our wetlands, and how to become a citizen scientist.
• Children learned to identify animal tracks with Alberta Parks and learned about bison with Elk Island National Park staff
- "Colonel the Owl" and biologist Gord Court gave everyone a chance to touch an owl, to learn it's calls, and to have their photo taken with Colonel.
- Salomon's team gave skiers a chance to check out demo equipment and pick up tips for their Nordic skiing adventures.
• Skiers enjoyed hot chocolate and making s'mores around the campfire.
• Beaver pelts, and other wildlife furs in a trappers tent introduced skiers to the diversity of wildlife that make their home in the Beaver Hills.
- Special draw prizes were given for joining in the Wildlife Quiz and celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary.
The World Snow Day: the Beaver Hills BioBlitz was presented in partnership with the Beaver Hills Initiative, The Wildlife Society - Alberta Chapter, Alberta Parks, Solstice Canada, Friends of Elk Island National Park, Elk Island National Parks, the Alberta Conservation Association, Salomon and Strathcona County.
- Free gifts and prizes
- Free food and drink